Stefan Kuntz had reached three finals in a row as Germany’s U-21 coach, winning two. Now the ex-national striker faces his first deciding match as senior coach of Turkey. In the World Cup play-offs in Portugal.
Even in the short term, his signing has already paid off for Turkey. By reaching the knockout rounds alone, “we caused a very pleasant surprise,” Stefan Kuntz sums up after his first four international matches in his new role. Moreover, the 59-year-old has ignited hopes of only the third World Cup participation after 1954 and 2002 for this enthusiastic football nation.
“Now everyone sees a real World Cup chance, there is certainly a sense of euphoria”. Ahead of the clash with the 2016 European champions led by superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, Germany’s former international striker ranks the underdog’s chances. “In a knockout match like this, anything is always possible,” says Kuntz, “and a team that has nothing to lose is particularly dangerous.”
Kuntz also reveals his current assessment of CR7 (“He can’t beat us on his own.”), what he has in store for his team, which he is also expected to lead to the 2024 European Championship in Germany, how much he has already benefited from his new role as coach and what he says about a duel with Germany.
First, however, his focus is fully on the “final” on Thursday in Porto (8.45 pm), which he is already looking forward to: “I have to admit, the temperature and the tension are rising noticeably.” And in the event of success, it will certainly skyrocket, because Turkey would then meet the winner of the match between North Macedonia and the reigning European champions Italy.